Amo Racing had a massive result overnight at the Curragh winning the Group I Phoenix Stakes (6f) with tough 2YO colt Power Blue, who is not only the first stakes-winner for his sire Space Blues, he is also the first stakes-winner anywhere in the world to have a double cross (2x3) of Dubawi.
Trained by Adrian Murray and ridden by David Egan, Power Blue scored an upset win in the first juvenile G1 race of the season in Europe with victory expected to go to an Aidan O’Brien trained runner.
At acceptance time Ballydoyle had the two top fancies in Royal Ascot winners Gstaad and True Love, but with the Starspangledbanner colt scratched in favour of the G1 Prix Morny in France, the No Nay Never filly True Love was left as the short priced favourite.
Power Blue made all the running front and True Love couldn’t catch him going down by a length and a half.
“He has got bigger and stronger and Power Blue is improving throughout the year. Every time he turns up he never lets us down. A furlong out I was thinking the filly wasn't going to get to him,” said Adrian Murray.
David Egan was thrilled with the result.
“It's fantastic, a mega day. It's my first Group 1 for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team,” Egan added.
“So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously has his critics, but to give him a day like this is a proud day. I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us and the second year better than the first and the third year better than the second. It's all about giving it time.”
The victory capped a winning double on the day for Amo Racing as they also won the Group III Phoenix Sprint Stakes (6f) with four year-old Wootton Bassett stallion Bucanero Fuerte, who won the G1 Railway Stakes two years ago on this program.
Power Blue was purchased originally for £44,000 from the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale by Drumloose Stables after making €30,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale.
He was purchased privately by Amo Racing prior to Royal Ascot and now has the overall record of two wins and three placings from six starts.
He is the first winner for Group III placed Visions, a daughter of Dubawi stallion Worthadd from Group III winner Charming Woman.
Power Blue is the first stakes-winner among eight first crop winners for Space Blues, a G1 winning son of Dubawi who stands for Darley in Ireland at a fee of €16,000.
